Network Engineer Salary in Winston-Salem, NC: $82,800 (2026)

Network Engineer Pay in Winston-Salem: What to Expect (2026)

Winston-Salem offers a median network engineer salary of $82,800, which is $5,520 below the North Carolina state average of $88,320. Compared to the national median of $92,000, Winston-Salem pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Winston-Salem's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $82,800 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $96,279 in an average-cost city. This makes Winston-Salem an attractive option for network engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for network engineers in Winston-Salem spans from $50,400 at the 10th percentile to $130,500 at the 90th percentile — a $80,100 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $54,000, while senior network engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $124,200. With a population of 249,545, Winston-Salem is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Network Engineer Salary in Winston-Salem by Experience

In Winston-Salem, an entry-level network engineer earns around $54,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $124,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$54,000

$-6,000 vs national

Mid Level (3-7 yrs)

$84,600

$-9,400 vs national

Senior Level (8+ yrs)

$124,200

$-13,800 vs national

Percentile	Winston-Salem	NC State	National
10th Percentile	$50,400	$53,760	$56,000
25th Percentile	$66,600	$71,040	$74,000
Median (50th)	$82,800	$88,320	$92,000
75th Percentile	$106,200	$113,280	$118,000
90th Percentile	$130,500	$139,200	$145,000

Percentile

Winston-Salem

10th Percentile

$50,400

25th Percentile

$66,600

Median (50th)

$82,800

75th Percentile

$106,200

90th Percentile

$130,500

How to Become a Network Engineer in Winston-Salem

Education

Most network engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Winston-Salem and the surrounding North Carolina area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

CiscoTCP/IPFirewallsVPNNetwork MonitoringCCNA/CCNP

Job Outlook

Nationally, network engineer employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Winston-Salem may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Frequently Asked Questions: Network Engineer Salary in Winston-Salem

How much does a Network Engineer make in Winston-Salem, NC? ▼

The median network engineer salary in Winston-Salem, North Carolina is $82,800 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $92,000. Salaries range from $50,400 (10th percentile) to $130,500 (90th percentile).

How much does a Network Engineer make per hour in Winston-Salem? ▼

Based on the median annual salary of $82,800, a network engineer in Winston-Salem earns approximately $40 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.

How does Winston-Salem compare to the North Carolina state average for network engineer pay? ▼

Winston-Salem's median network engineer salary of $82,800 is 6.3% below the North Carolina state average of $88,320. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

What is the cost of living in Winston-Salem, NC? ▼

Winston-Salem has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a network engineer salary of $82,800 in Winston-Salem has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.

What qualifications do I need to become a network engineer in Winston-Salem? ▼

Most network engineer positions in Winston-Salem require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Cisco, TCP/IP, Firewalls, VPN. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.

Network Engineer Salary in Winston-Salem, North Carolina